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And finally ...

30/9/2024

Following a week of frequent torrential rain, Saturday afternoon's weather was sunny but cool (a couple of degrees below the minimum temperature for butterflies to be flying) but, as this was the 26th transect of the 26-week counting season, GH and BG decided to go for it. At this time of year, butterfly numbers are in rapid decline: their food flowers are becoming scarce, the increasing cold saps their energy, wind and rain prevent them from flying to find the remaining flowers.

However, surviving butterflies were out enjoying Saturday's better conditions, especially in south-facing Fames Rough and Coneyboro Hill. We recorded 6 Meadow Browns, 2 Common Blues, 1 Brimstone, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Copper and 1 Speckled Wood. Our total count was 11 butterflies from 6 species.

Despite the news reports of a severe crash in the UK's butterfly population, this year's total count for our transects compares fairly well with previous years. This year's count of 4,588 is the 4th highest of the 8 complete seasons we have worked on: our highest count was 5,763 in 2019 (with 2018's 5,758 a close second) and our lowest count of 2022's 2,912. The Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites and Gatekeepers regularly provide the large numbers per season, while this year's count for Common Blues, Brown Argus, Chalkhill Blues, Red Admirals and Ringlets was low. We hope they will surge up again next year. It should also be noted that this year no Small Tortoiseshells were seen.

For further information see this spreadsheet detailing this season's and previous years' counts.

Survey by Brian G and Graham H submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by Brian Gardner.

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One more transect to go

22/9/2024

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The afternoon of Thursday the19th proved to be a perfect choice for the penultimate transect of the 2024 season. We had continuous warm sun all the way round our 4 km walk, and the surviving butterflies were up and flying.

Just for a change, the Meadow Browns failed to provide the highest count, they were beaten this time by a surprising total of 29 Brown Argus. Our overall count of 56 butterflies from 9 species considered as reasonable for so late in the year.

There are frequent news reports at the moment of 2024 being a disastrous year for butterfly sightings in the UK, but with still one week left of our counting season, we have recorded our third highest annual total of the eight complete seasons for which we have provided data. This appears to be due to the strong showing of our Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites and Gatekeepers, but a more detailed study of the figures is required to identify population trends.

Count details:
29 Brown Argus
12 Meadow Brown
4 Small White
3 Common Blue
2 Small Heath
2 Brimstone
2 Speckled Wood
1 Large White
1 Small Copper
Click on butterfly names for more info from Butterfly Conservation.

Survey by Brian G, Liz North, Duncan Jennings, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by Brian Gardner.
Pics by Graham Kenward.

Speckled Wood, Coneyboro Hill

Female Common Blue, Fames Rough

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Declining numbers

17/9/2024

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Week 24's transect was on the afternnon of Saturday, the 14th. The weather improved as we proceeded around the transect's route and the clouds soon gave way to full clear warm sun. The butterfly numbers were much reduced by the recent rain and colder nights. All of this week's count, except for a single Brimstone seen in section 12 (Stagbury Field), were recorded in our first six sections (Hither Field to Hill Wood Field – these receive more of the afternoon sun). Despite the terminal decline in numbers having set in, we had two exceptions – we saw more Speckled Woods and Small Whites on this transect than in any other transect this season.

Count details:
16 Meadow Brown
11 Brown Argus
7 Small White
6 Common Blue
5 Speckled Wood
3 Small Heath
2 Brimstone
Summary:
50 butterflies from 7 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info from Butterfly Conservation.

Survey by Brian G, Liz North, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by Brian Gardner.
Pics by Graham Kenward.

Worn Common Blue, Fames Rough

Speckled Wood, Fames Rough

Brown Argus, Fames Rough

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Reasonable numbers for late season

9/9/2024

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Saturday, 7th September, was forecast to have the driest warm weather of the week, especially when compared to the heavy rain and gloomy conditions of the preceding days. It was therefore chosen for transect 23 and proved to be mildly warm and overcast with a couple of brief but light drizzly showers.

Fortunately the butterflies didn't seem to be too unhappy and were seen in reasonable numbers considering the less than perfect conditions and the lateness of the season. There were some gaps in this week's cast list, namely the Purple Hairstreaks, Brown Hairstreaks, Small Heaths and Brimstones, but the Meadow Browns, Brown Argus and Common Blues continue to be fairly well represented. There was a Small White and one worn-looking female Chalkhill Blue remaining.

The number of butterflies seen at this time of year is entirely dependent upon having favourable weather so that they are warm enough to fly, and the availability of their food flowers – without these they will soon succumb.

Count details:
52 Meadow Brown
10 Brown Argus
5 Common Blue
1 Chalkhill Blue
1 Small White

Count summary:
69 Butterflies from 5 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info from Butterfly Conservation.

Survey by Brian G, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by Brian Gardner.
Pics by Graham Kenward and Brian Gardner.